Casting out Anger: Religion among the Taita of Kenya (Cambridge Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology)
Cambridge University Press, 8/21/2008
EAN 9780521040846, ISBN10: 0521040841
Paperback, 216 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm
Language: English
This account of an East African religion as it was during the 1950s discusses a variety of issues in the study of religion, within the context of case materials and other field data. The Taita people of southern Kenya called their religion Butasi after its central act which combined utterance with spraying-out of liquid from the mouth. Taking up the central theme of mystical anger, Dr Harris explores the social and cultural aspects of doctrines and rituals. She shows that the interpretation and shaping of the experience of misfortune occurred in religious interaction: between living humans having mystical attributes, and between them and person-like mystical agencies. Many of the concepts, practices, themes and elements discussed have been reported for other African religions, often with little comment or analysis. Here they are brought together, explored, and related to one another. The result is a many-sided, yet integrated picture of a single religion. Presented in clear and non-technical language, the study serves to illuminate many religions throughout the world.
List of plates and figures
Preface
Note on orthography
1. Introduction
2. The domain of Taita religion
3. Ritual and the moral career
4. The hearts of kin
anger-removal rites
5. Group welfare and the Great Medicines
6. Ritual elements and ritual efficacy
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index.